New idling bylaw now in effect
On June 1, 2009, a new idling control bylaw (27-2009) to target unnecessary idling replaced the original idling control bylaw (71-2004). The primary changes in the new bylaw are:
- A reduction in the permitted idling time (for unnecessary idling) from three minutes to one minute (60 seconds);
- The removal of the temperature exemption; and
- The changing emphasis from education to enforcement.
Since 2003, city staff focused on raising awareness about unnecessary idling by working with local schools to distribute material and post Idle Free Zone banners, by posting information on the city's website and in local media, and by setting up displays at various city facilities and local events. The time has now come to increase enforcement and ticket offenders, sending a message to drivers to turn their engines off.
Under the new Idling Control Bylaw, idling is defined as a parking offence. As a result, parking enforcement staff are able to issue a parking ticket for an idling offence. A $150 set fine was approved by the province.
There continue to be several myths associated with idling. A common myth is the belief that it takes more fuel to restart an engine than to leave it idling. However, according to Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Idle Free Zone website (www.idling.gc.ca), idling for over 10 seconds consumes more fuel and emits more greenhouse gases than turning your engine off and on. NRCan has also developed a model idling bylaw which recommends that when balancing a number of factors, idling should be limited to 60 seconds.
The purpose of the Idling Control Bylaw is to control unnecessary idling. As a result, there are several exemptions included in the bylaw including:
- Emergency vehicles while engaged in operational activities;
- A vehicle that is stationary because of an emergency, traffic conditions (i.e. traffic signals) or mechanical difficulties;
- Vehicles that are in a drive-through lane;
- Vehicles that need to idle to run equipment associated with the vehicle; and
- Transit vehicles while at a layover (currently limited to three minutes).
To view the Idling Control Bylaw 27-2009, please click the link. For further information, please see the staff report or contact Fleur Storace-Hogan at 905-335-7600 ext. 7580. To register a complaint, please contact parking services at 905-335-7816.